Car coupler

ABSTRACT

A railway car coupler of the knuckle type in which the contour of knuckle is modified so as to increase the gathering range of the coupler especially during knuckle-to-knuckle engagement between the couplers as they come together for coupling from positions in which they are displaced laterally of the longitudinal center line of the car.

United States Patent Metzger 1 1 June 20, 1972 [54] CAR COUPLER 2,562,203 7/1951 Metzger ..213/1o9 Inventor: William J. Meagan East Cleveland, Ohio 2,922,532 1/1960 Metzger ..213/l5l [73] Assignee: Midland-Ross, Cleveland, Ohio Examiner-Mylo" Hoffman AnomeyHenry Kozak and Woodrow W. Portz [22] Filed: Dec. 28, 1970 211 Appl. No.: 101,979 [57] ABSTRACT A railway car coupler of the knuckle type in which the contour of knuckle is modified so as to increase the gathering [52] U.S. Cl ..2l3/l51, 213/109, 213/155 range of the coupler especially during knuckle to knuckle cm [51] II'ILCI "B618 3/04 gagement between the couplers as they come together for [58] Field of Search ..213/ 109, 151, 155 coupling from positions in which they are displaced laterally of the longitudinal center line of the car. [5 6] References Cited 90111115, 14 lh-awingflgures ew UNITED STATES PATENTS PATENTEBJUHZO I912 3.670 901 sum 10F 3 IN VEN TOR.

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W]! 1 14M! M57260? #TTORNCV can COUPLER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The usual procedure in the coupling together of railway freight cars is to have the knuckle of one coupler open and the knuckle of the other coupler closed as the opposing couplers approach for coupling. Moreover, each coupler quite often is disposed on one side or the other of the longitudinal center line of the railway vehicle. It is a well known fact that when each coupler is laterally displaced from the car longitudinal center line so that the knuckle side of the coupler is closer to the center line of the car than when the coupler is centered, the gathering range of the couplers is very limited. Under such conditions, knuckle-to-knuckle engagement occurs between the couplers as they approach for coupling and the gathering range is no more than about 1-3 4 inches. Thus, if the displacement of each coupler from the center line of the car exceeds about five-eighth inches, the couplers will fail to couple because they will not gather of align into position for coupling together. The gathering range of about 1- /4 inches applies to all of the A.A.R. (Association of American Railroads) standard couplers, as well as to non-standard knuckle type couplers.

In recent years the incidence of miscouplings has increased considerably, resulting in damage to couplers and to railway car structures. There is, therefore, a real need to reduce the number of miscouplings. Although the A.A.R. standard couplers have been in use since 1916, no modifications have been made in those couplers to improve their gathering range under the conditions of knuckle-to-knuckle engagement between the couplers as they come together for coupling. The contours of the standard couplers as well as non-standard knuckle couplers in railway service have remained virtually unchanged up to the present.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention involves a change in the contour of a knuckle type coupler whereby a substantial increase in gathering range is provided when two couplers approach for coupling with the initial engagement occurring between the knuckles of the couplers. More specifically, the contour of the knuckle nose is modified so as to provide a guiding or gathering surface that is effective when the knuckle is in open position. This surface is adapted, during coupling operations, to engage the knuckle of an approaching mating coupler and efl'ect gathering of laterally displaced couplers into position for coupling. This increase in gathering range is obtained without a reduction of the effective bearing area between two engaged knuckles when the couplers are in pulled condition. Neither is there a reduction in the effective bearing area between a knuckle and the opposing buffing face of a mating coupler when coupled couplers are subjected to buffing forces.

Accordingly, it is the primary object of the invention to increase the gathering range of a knuckle coupler by providing at the lateral extremity of nose of the knuckle a flat vertical aligning surface for engagement with the nose of a knuckle on an opposing coupler to align couplers as they approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions relative to each other. The aligning surface on the knuckle is in functioning position when the knuckle is in open position. With the knuckle open, the aligning surface is adapted to engage the rounded nose of a closed knuckle on an opposing coupler to gather the couplers into position from which coupling can be effected. Also, when the aligning surface is in functioning position, it is adapted to slidably engage the corresponding surface on an open knuckle of a mating coupler to align the couplers during coupling operations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of car coupler knuckle embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the knuckle shown in FIG. 1, a portion of the knuckle tail being broken away.

- FIG. 3 is a plan view of two knuckle couplers not embodying the invention, showing the initial contact between their knuckles as the couplers approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions, one knuckle being open and one knuckle closed.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of two couplers embodying the invention showing the initial contact between their knuckles as the couplers approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions, the knuckle of one coupler being open and the other knuckle being closed.

FIG. 5 is a plan of two couplers not embodying the invention showing the initial contact between their open knuckles as they approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of two couplers embodying the invention showing the initial contact between their open knuckles as they approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions.

FIG. 7 shows the position of the couplers shown in FIG. 3 after they have moved closer together.

FIG. 8 shows the couplers of FIG. 7 after they have moved still closer together.

FIG. 9 shows the couplers of FIG. 8 after they have moved closer toward coupled position.

FIG. 10 shows the couplers of FIG. 9 coupled and subjected to a force in pull.

FIG. 11 shows the couplers of FIG. 5 after they have moved closer together.

FIG. 12 shows the couplers of moved still closer together.

FIG. 13 shows the couplers of FIG. 12 after the knuckle noses are past one another and are in engagement with the opposing tails of the knuckles.

FIG. 14 shows the couplers of FIG. 13 in position just prior to final coupling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring to FIGS; 1 and 2, there is shown a coupler knuckle having a forward nose portion 10 and a rearwardly extending tail portion 12. The knuckle has a vertical opening 14 for receiving a pivot pin for pivotal mounting of the knuckle in the head of the coupler. The knuckle shown confonns in all respects to the Association of American Railroads standard E coupler knuckle except for the flat vertical surface 16 at the lateral extremity of nose 10. Thus the lateral extremity of the knuckle nose is flat instead of generally rounded as at 18 in FIG. 3, wherein an A.A.R. standard E coupler knuckle is shown.

In FIG. 2 there is indicated line X-X which represents the longitudinal center line of an A.A.R. standard E coupler in relation to its knuckle when the latter is in closed or coupled position. Line Y-Y represents the coupling line of the coupler. The contour of the nose of the A.A.R. knuckle is preferably modified by slicing a section of the nose at its lateral extremity as by a vertical plane which intersects the forward portion of the contour at a point about l-7/l6 inches from the line X-X and which intersects the rearward portion of the contour at a point about 1-17/32 inches from line X- X. The surface 16 thus formed is nearly parallel to the line X-X but actually converges slightly toward line X-X in a direction forwardly of the nose. The rearward edge of surface 16 is disposed slightly forwardly of the coupling line Y-Y of the coupler. Surface 16 forms a coupler aligning or gathering means when the knuckle is in open position as will hereinafier be explained. Surface 16 is of substantial extend, measuring about I-% inches lengthwise of the coupler.

In order to couple two knuckle type couplers at least one of the knuckles must be in open position. With A.A.R. standard E coup ers, as well as with knuckle type couplers in general, the ability of the couplers to couple is most critical when the couplers are so displaced laterally of each other that, as they come together for coupling, contact between the couplers first FIG. 11 after they have occurs between their knuckle noses. It is well known that under this Condition (one knuckle open and one knuckle closed) the maximum amount the couplers may be displaced laterally from each other and still be able to couple is l-% inches. This condition of maximum displacement of l-% inches between two A.A.R. standard E. couplers is shown in FIG. 3, and is measured between the longitudinal center lines of coupler A whose knuckle is closed and coupler A whose knuckle is open. If the couplers are moved together from this position, they should gather and couple. However, if it is attempted to couple them when they are displaced more than 1- A inches, they will fail to gather and will not couple. The couplers of FIG. 3 have the usual guard arm 13.

Referring now to FIG. 4 wherein the couplers are identical with those in FIG. 3 except that each coupler B and B' has its knuckle nose modified in accordance with the invention, the lateral displacement between the couplers is such that, as in FIG. 3, the initial contact occurs between the noses of the knuckles. Moreover, the displacement shown between couplers is approximately 2- .6 inches or twice that shown in FIG. 4. The couplers of FIG. 4,-when moved together from the position shown will gather and will successfully couple. It will be observed that the forward surface of the nose of the closed knuckle of coupler B engages the forward edge of surface 16 of the open knuckle of coupler B as at a. Surface 16 of the open knuckle is disposed at an angle of about 30 degrees relative to the buffing face of the closed knuckle as well as to a line ZZ perpendicular to the longitudinal center line of coupler B' and passing through point a, and serves as an aligning means to enable the couplers to gather and couple. Surface 16 also lies in a vertical plane directed toward the end of guard arm 13 and in effect serves as a slide, along which the rounded nose of the opposing closed knuckle is guided to bring the couplers into alignment for coupling as the couplers move together. While the couplers will successfully couple from positions of relative lateral displacement of 2-55 inches, as above stated, successful coupling has been obtained when the displacement between the couplers was as great as 3 inches.

Upon movement of the couplers toward each other from the position shown in FIG. 4, the nose of the closed knuckle slides along surface 16 and is shown in FIG. 7 at a point b intermediate the forward and rearward edges of surface 16. This gathering of the knuckles continues until the nose of the closed knuckle reaches the inner edge of surface 16, as at c in FIG. 8. Further movement of the couplers causes the rounded nose portion 17 of the open knuckle to slide along surface 16 of the closed knuckle as in FIG. 9. The coupler gathering operation has now proceeded to the point where each knuckle is well within the contour of the opposing coupler and, once the knuckle noses have moved past each other, movement of the couplers to final coupled position takes place in the same manner as with knuckles not embodying surface 16. The coupled position of the couplers is shown in FIG. 10, wherein the couplers are shown in pulled condition. It will be understood that each coupler is connected to its associated car so as to be able to angle horizontally, as is well known in the art. While the couplers may be displaced or out of line relative to each other at the start of a coupling operation, their longitudinal axes will coincide after the couplers are completely coupled and in a buffed condition. This alignment of the axes of the couplers will likewise exist when the couplers are in a pulled condition, as in FIG. 10.

Referring now to the case where two A.A.R. standard E couplers approach for coupling with both knuckles open and the couplers so displaced laterally of each other that the knuckle noses engage, such a coupling condition is illustrated in FIG. 5. In this Figure, the couplers are shown the maximum they may be displaced laterally from each other and still be able to couple. With both knuckles open, this maximum displacement is 4 inches. Any displacement of the couplers beyond this 4 inches will preclude coupling of the couplers because the knuckles will close prematurely and thus will not be able to gather and enter the coupler contours.

Referring to FIG. 6, there are shown two A.A.R. standard E couplers whose knuckle noses have been modified in accordance with the invention, the knuckle of each coupler being shown in open position. As in FIG. 5, the couplers have been laterally displaced in such a direction that the noses of the knuckles engage as the couplers move together for coupling. It will be observed that the forward edges of surfaces 16 on both knuckles are in contact as at f. The couplers in this view are displaced laterally of each other a distance of 5-7/8 inches and will gather and couple successfully from this position. Surfaces 16 in this position of the couplers are disposed in approximately a common plane W-W extending through the forward ends of guard arms 13. Thus the couplers can be coupled even though they are displaced apart l-7/8 inches more than couplers whose knuckles do not embody the invention.

As the couplers move further together from the position shown in FIG. 6, relative sliding occurs between surfaces 16, causing the knuckles to gather and bring each knuckle closer to the guard arm 13 of the opposing coupler. FIG. 11 illus trates the relative positions of the couplers after the engagement between the'knuckle noses has progressed to approximately the rnidpoints of surfaces 16.

As the couplers continue to move together, relative sliding between surfaces 16 occurs until the inner edges of these surfaces are in contact as at g in FIG. 12. It will be noted that considerable gathering of the knuckles has taken place by the time the couplers are in the FIG. 12 position. Thereafter, further movement of the couplers towards one another causes the knuckle noses to slide by each other and engage the tails of the opposing knuckles as at h in FIG. 13. From FIG. 13 the coupling operation continues until the couplers are coupled. Just before the couplers reach final coupled position, they are disposed as shown in FIG. 14. This view shows that surfaces 16 in nowise interfere with or impede the rolling action of the knuckles within the coupler contours as they move toward closed position in the final stages of the coupling operation. In FIG. 14 the knuckle noses are in engagement with the opposing coupler surfaces as at i.

In the A.A.R. standard couplers such as the types E, F Interlocking and H Tightlock, the knuckle in each has a radial pulling face on its rearward side for interengagement with the corresponding pulling face of the knuckle of a mating coupler. This radial pulling face in each of the standard coupler knuckles comprises a concavely curved throat surface 19 having a l-inch radius and the immediately adjoining convexly curved surface 17 also having a l-inch radius. It will be noted that surfaces 17 and 19 are approximately symmetrical about coupling line YY. Surfaces 17 and 19 on each knuckle are in contact with the complementary surfaces on the knuckle of a mating coupler when coupled couplers are subjected to pulling forces as in FIG. 10. The interengaged pulling faces assure that surface contact exists between the couplers even during angling thereof in service. As aforementioned, the rearward edge of aligning surface 16 intersects convex surface 17 at a point slightly forwardly of the coupiing line YY.

Referring to FIG. 10, it will be noted the pulling area of contact between the knuckles is not reduced by surface 16. Moreover, it will also be apparent the the buffing surface 20 for engagement with bufi'ing face 22 of the opposing coupler has not been reduced. Thus the invention does not impair the functioning of the coupler nor does it result in any decrease in the strength of the coupler.

It will be recognized that there will be some variation allowed from the position and extent of surface 16 as shown, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, in order to adapt the invention to coupler knuckles which may not conform identically with the contour of the standard coupler knuckles.

What is claimed is:

1. A car coupler of the knuckle type comprising a head having a guard arm on one side thereof and a pivoted knuckle on its other side, said knuckle having a nose portion adapted to interengage with the nose portion of a knuckle of a mating coupler when the couplers are coupled together, said knuckle being swingable from a closed position to an open position, said nose portion having at its lateral extremity a flat vertical aligning surface facing said guard arm when the knuckle is in closed position, said surface, when said knuckle is in open position, being adapted to engage a forward portion of the nose of a closed knuckle on a mating coupler as the couplers approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions, said surface being so disposed as to cause sliding of the nose portion of the closed knuckle of the mating coupler along said surface so as to gather the couplers into position for coupling.

2. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface is nearly parallel to the longitudinal center line of the coupler when the knuckle is in closed position.

3. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface commences at a point just forward of the coupling line of the coupler and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal center line of the coupler to the forward side of the nose portion.

4. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface is of substantial length in a direction longitudinally of the coupler.

5. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface when said knuckle is in open position is disposed at an angle of about 30 relative to the bufi'mg face on the closed knuckle of a mating coupler.

6. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface lies in a plane passing through the forward end of said guard arm when said knuckle is in open position.

7. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface is adapted to engage the aligning surface of the knuckle of a mating coupler when the couplers approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions with their knuckles in open position so as to gather the couplers into position for coupling.

8. A knuckle for pivotal mounting in the head of a car coupler, said knuckle comprising a forward nose portion and a rearwardly extending tail portion, said knuckle being adapted for pivotal mounting in said head, said nose portion having a pulling face on its rearward side comprising adjoining concave and convex surfaces, said nose portion having at its lateral extremity a flat vertical aligning surface which is nearly parallel to the longitudinal center line of the coupler when the knuckle is in closed position, the rearward edge of said aligning surface intersecting said convex surface at a point slightly forwardly of the coupling line of the coupler, said aligning surface being adapted to be disposed at an angle of about 30 relative to a transverse vertical plane when the knuckle is in open position.

9. A knuckle as set forth in claim 8 in which said aligning surface is of substantial extent in a direction longitudinally of the coupler.

my UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CURRECTION Patent No. 3,670,901' l Dated June 20, 1972 Inventor s J. Metzger ppears in the above identified patent It is certified that error a hereby corrected as shown below:

and that said Letters Patent are "'1 Column 2, line 20, the numeral "3" should read 4 line 28, the numeral "5" should read 6 line 68, the word "extend" should read extent Signed and sealed this 19th day of March 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLET(;HER,JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer I Commissioner of Patents 

1. A car coupler of the knuckle type comprising a head having a guard arm on one side thereof and a pivoted knuckle on its other side, said knuckle having a nose portion adapted to interengage with the nose portion of a knuckle of a mating coupler when the couplers are coupled together, said knuckle being swingable from a closed position to an open position, said nose portion having at its lateral extremity a flat vertical aligning surface facing said guard arm when the knuckle is in closed position, said surface, when said knuckle is in open position, being adapted to engage a forward portion of the nose of a closed knuckle on a mating coupler as the couplers approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions, said surface being so disposed as to cause sliding of the nose portion of the closed knuckle of the mating coupler along said surface so as to gather the couplers into position for coupling.
 2. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface is nearly parallel to the longitudinal center line of the coupler when the knuckle is in closed position.
 3. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface commences at a point just forward of the coupling line of the coupler and extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal center line of the coupler to the forward side of the nose portion.
 4. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface is of substantial length in a direction longitudinally of the coupler.
 5. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface when said knuckle is in open position is disposed at an angle of about 30* relative to the buffing face on the closed knuckle of a mating coupler.
 6. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface lies in a plane passing through the forward end of said guard arm when said knuckle is in open position.
 7. A coupler as set forth in claim 1 in which said aligning surface is adapted to engage the aligning surface of the knuckle of a mating coupler when the couplers approach for coupling from laterally displaced positions with their knuckles in open position so as to gather the couplers into position for coupling.
 8. A knuckle for pivotal mounting in the head of a car coupler, said knuckle comprising a forward nose portion and a rearwardly extending tail portion, said knuckle being adapted for pivotal mounting in said head, said nose portion having a pulling face on its rearward side comprising adjoining concave and convex surfaces, said nose portion having at its lateral extremity a flat vertical aligning surface which is nearly parallel to the longitudinal center line of the coupler when the knuckle is in closed position, the rearward edge of said aligning surface intersecting sAid convex surface at a point slightly forwardly of the coupling line of the coupler, said aligning surface being adapted to be disposed at an angle of about 30* relative to a transverse vertical plane when the knuckle is in open position.
 9. A knuckle as set forth in claim 8 in which said aligning surface is of substantial extent in a direction longitudinally of the coupler. 